Brown Signs Online Privacy Laws

Brown Signs Online Privacy Laws

SACRAMENTO —

College students will have free digital access to many textbooks, receive more warning about tuition hikes and have their social media accounts protected from snooping university officials under measures approved by Gov. Jerry Brown.

The new privacy laws also prohibit employers from asking workers or job applicants for their email or social media account passwords. Fittingly, Brown announced his action on Twitter, Facebook, Google+, LinkedIn and MySpace.

Some businesses have started requesting the passwords to check applicants’ backgrounds, and college coaches have asked athletes for access to their Facebook accounts to keep tabs on them.

“California pioneered the social media revolution,” Brown tweeted. “These laws protect Californians from unwarranted invasions of their social media accounts.”

Sen. Leland Yee (D-San Francisco) introduced the measure, SB 1349, noting that students often post personal information, including their religion and sexual orientation, on social networking sites. Assemblywoman Nora Campos (D-San Jose) is author of AB 1844, which applies to employers. All of the bills take effect Jan. 1.